What Should I Do If I Get Gasoline in My Eyes?
Accidents happen, and sometimes that means getting gasoline where it definitely doesn’t belong, like your eyes. If this happens, here’s what you should do right away:
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Wash your hands first if they have gas on them.
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Remove contact lenses if you wear them.
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Gently flush your eyes with lukewarm water for 5 to 10 minutes. Blink naturally and don’t force your eyes open.
Gasoline is a hydrocarbon liquid, and it can be harmful to your eyes, especially the cornea. After flushing, call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for free, confidential advice from poison specialists. They’ll help you determine the next steps and whether further treatment is necessary.
👁️ Check our eye exposure first-aid page here for detailed steps on treating eye exposures!
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with an image of a man fueling a car at a gas station and the video title "What happens if you get gasoline in your eyes?". The Missouri Poison Center logo is visible.
Sound: Upbeat instrumental music begins.
Visual: Person 1, wearing a blue "#Poison Prevention" t-shirt, stands in a studio room. A comment bubble overlay reads "what if you get gas in your eyes?".
Person 1: What do I do if I get gasoline in my eyes? Well first things first, if your hands are dirty or have gas on them,
Visual: Hands washing with soap and water in a sink.
Person 1: wash your hands.
Visual: A finger removing a contact lens from an eye.
Person 1: Then remove your contacts if you wear them.
Visual: A man's face being flushed with water from a shower head.
Person 1: And flush your eyes with lukewarm water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Visual: Back with Person 1 in studio.
Person 1: Try to blink as much as possible while flushing your eyes, but don't force your eyelids open.
Visual: Person 1 blinks awkwardly.
Person 1: Then, call your poison center for further treatment advice.
Visual: A woman fueling a white car at a gas station.
Person 1: Gasoline is something called a hydrocarbon liquid.
Visual: A green molecular structure graphic on a black background.
Person 1: And hydrocarbon liquids are poisonous.
Visual: Back with Person 1 in studio.
Person 1: Look, your eye isn't going to go anywhere just because it's all gassed up now, and the mileage isn't all that great on those things anyways. But the gasoline can damage your cornea, so it's important to follow these steps and consult with a professional for possible further treatment.
Visual: Missouri Poison Center logo and the phone number 1-800-222-1222 are displayed on a white background. "Open 24/7!" and "There's always an expert standing by that's ready to consult on evaluation and management." are also shown.
Person 1: If you or someone you know gets gasoline in their eyes, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. They'll tell you what to do next.
Visual: Back with Person 1 in studio.
Person 1: And if you have a question about potential poisons, leave us a comment below!
